Folding bed



June 30, 1931. H E. cocKs 8 FOLDING BED ,Filed May 22 1929 INVENTOR. Ed wt).

- /A' ORNEYS.

Patented June 30,1931

I UNiT D ,sTATas L EDGAR oocxs, on SOUTH PASADENA, oALIFoRivImnssIGNon 'roI LosANGEnns .WALL, l

' BED COMPANY, or Los ANGELEsoALIFoRNI A CORPORATION 01?, CALIFORNIA rorlnrne Ban Application filed my 22,

' This invention relates to foldingbeds, and, while; applicable primarily; to folding beds of the type that is fixedlyatt ached to a wall or efioor, or is fixedly mounted on a door to be 5 carried thereby in. and out of a closet, it may alsobe constructed with a suitable base to serve as a portable*typecommonly 'known' as roller beddesigned to be moved into a closet for storage and out into a room for In use." Necessarily beds of the latter type must be passed through a comparatively narrow doorway and to admit of this the bed frameis pivotally mounted'upon a comparatively narrow portable base, to extend' vertically 15 above'the base, when notinuse, and to swing to a horizontal positionforfuse. i Y

As the bed frame is pivotally mounted on "the base adjacent one of its.ends, i t greatly overhangs the. base when-lowered. to hori-- i zontal position for use, and when being low-l ered the frame, due to its weight and that of the bedding, is unbalanced on the base, which unbalance increases as the frame nears itsi horizontal position. In orderto check "this J unbalanced weight, and to lessen the physical effort required to raiseand lower the frame, aserles of sprlngs are provided which connect an overhanging rearend of the frame with the base, the tensilestrength of which r is"proportionalto the unbalanced weight.

As these springs merely connect two pivotal members, and 'asthey must of necessity exert V a' strong contractual force, and also as the contractual force exertedv increases.v as the 7 frame anear 1ts horizontal positlomthere 1s, at the same time, an-'1ncreas'1ng tendency of thev base being swung'relative to theframe and be thrown over on-top of it. iThisten'dency is greatest when the frame is in its horizontal position for use. V

act thespring force which-tends, to tip the base} But such means have beenfound tobe To overcome the foregoing 'difiiculty, beds r of this type have been heretofore provided with heavily weighted bases, -and particularly with larger 'ca'st iron or lead weights secured to the rear side of the base,.torcounter 1929; SerialiNo. 365,042.

fioors,whichitends to destroythem.

In the accomplishment, of theabove mentioned objects, andto overcomethe attendant difliculties, I have provided means whereby theobjectionable weights may be eliminated from the. base, lighter springs provided,

which have less tendency to tip the base-relative'to the frame/when movingto its llOIj'-, zontal position, and vicev versa, and which butlessens the cost of manudoes not add to facture.

My improvement comprises means wheres by there is a frictional contact between the structure. The latter is objectionable for two 7 i reasons; first, increased shipping weight,and, secondly, increased weight on carpets and fbas'e and the frame, "which tends to'. check movement, due to the unbalancedweight of the frame, in moving from vertical to horizontal position. This frictional engagement creased inpropor tion' to the increased force exerted by the springs, as the frame movestoward its horizontal position being greatest when-in such horizontal position and cor respondingly lessened as theframe is turned to its vertical position. 1 I

My improvement may be embodied in various types of. doorf'and wall-bed structures, with equally satisfactory results, where its use is .to :aid in checking the unbalanced" weight of the bed frame and in minimizing physlcal effort in raislng. and'lowering the frame;

"The; invention will be fully understood from,the following description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying draw ings, in which-- I I V V "Fig.1 is a broken side. elevational view showing the bed frame tion on the base; a

' 70 is efiected by the. springs. and the jarrange- 'ment is such that the frictional force is in in folded closedpr p'si- Fig. 2 'is a broken front elevational view showing the bed frame in folded closed positi'ononthe base; e a i Fig. 3 *is a broken side elevatlonal. view v showing the bed frame in'an'intermediate,

or partly open, position on the base, r

Fig. 4; broken front elevational' view,

the position of the bed frame being the same as that in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the base and head end of the bed; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a slightly modified form of standard mounting.

In the drawings The numeral 10 designates the base, which comprises the cross members 11 and the side members 12 secured between the members 11 at their opposite ends to form a rectangular open frame. The cross member 11 forming the front marginal edge of the base serves as a supporting means for the head 13, which may be of any convenient type of construction which will afford a pleasin appearance. The base is provided at its four corners with casters 1 1 which permit the entire base frame, and head secured thereto, to be rolled through a door into a closet or other housing compartment. If a roller bed is not desired, the casters may be omitted and the bed may be fixedly mounted on the wall by means of a bracket 15 provided with cleats 16 for engaging the head of thebed.

The bed or mattress supporting frame 17 consists of a pair of side bars 18 and cross bars 19 (one shown) which. together form a frame for the mattress springs 20. The bars forming the ma tress frame, and also the bars forming the base frame, are of the regular angle bar type construction which affords a rigid and satisfactory type of mountin for the bed parts. The members formii'ig'the head end '13n1ay be of light tubular construction, if desired.

As shown in Figs. 1-4l, the bed frame 17 is adapted to pivotally swing on the base 10,

from a horizontal position, for use, into avertical or closed position, for storage. The pivotal mounting means for the frame coinpriss: a pair ofstandards 20a secured at the opposite sides of the base to the side members -12 and rising vertically therefrom, a pair of bracebars 21 secures at one end to cross member 11, intermediate the ends thereof, and at their opposite ends to thestandards 20a, and a pair of bearing plates 23 secured to the opposite sides of the mattress frame and pivotally connected at 2 1 to the upper ends of standards 20a. The connection be tween brace bars 21 and standards 20av is shown as CODSlStTiDQ of a bracket 22, one end of which is bolted to the standard 20a and the other end of which is bolted to the rod 21.

The bearing plates 23 form an integral part of a pair of angle bars 25, secured on the opposite sides of the bed frame to the side bars 18 of said frame, and depend from the inner edges of bars 25; the inside surfaces of the plates overlapping and resting in bearing contact with the outside faces of the upper ends of the standards 20a, which are pivotally secured to the respective bearing plates.

lVhile this arrangement affords the best and most convenient construction, it is not necessary to a practical application of my improvement that the bed frame be pivotally mounted upon the standards 20a, or the members which effect the frictional engagement with the bed frame, as the frame may be pivotally supported upon additional standards and the members 20a merely mounted adjacent thereto and in position to frictionally engage a movable surface on the frame. Plate 23 is also preferable, but this may also be dispensed with if desired.

The bearing plates 23 may be perforated as at 26 to afford pivotal support for a pair of mattress frame supporting legs 27, as shown in Fig. 1. The legs 27 are adapted to take the weight off the pivot pins 2 1 when thle frame 1'? is in horizontal position and fold into a substantially vertical position when the frame is swung vertically on the base, the brackets 28 serving to hold the legs against the base when the bed is in its folded position. Similar folding legs (not shown) are also provided for the foot end of the frame 1?.

The frame 17 is provided with a cross-bar 29 extending parallel to the cross members 19 and positioned slightly rearward of the point of pivot of the frame on the standards 20a. Two or more contractual spiral springs 80 are interposed between the cross-bar 29 and the cross member 11 of the base 10, the springs being secured to these members in the ordinary way by passing the hooked ends of the springs through perforations in the flanges of the angle bars. This series of springs affords a retarding action against the unbalanced weight of the bed frame in turning from its vertical to its horizontal position, the springs being under a maximum tension when the frame is in its horizontal position. On the other hand, when the frame is r ised to vertical position the springs 30 tend to lighten the weight and minimize the required physical effort to effect this movement.

The crossmember 11 of the base frame 10 is formed of such weight and material as to be slightly yielding, or inherently yielding, so that the'tension of the springs 30 increases, due to movements of the frame 17 from vertical to horizontal position, it will be bent or fl Xed vertically. It will be obvious that, as the member 11 is flexed vertically, there will be a lateral thrust. exerted against the standards 20a, throughthe bars 21, at the point at which these rods are connected thereto, with a consequent lateral outward movement of their upper ends. This outward flexing of the standards. 20a, as shown in Fig. 4, tends to produce an increas ing'frictional or hearing, contactbetween the portions of the standards2 a which overlap the adjacent portions of the bearingplates'23' resting contact therewith. As the frame 17 continues to approach the "horizo'ntalposition, springs 30 are further distended and the'tendency is to increase the vertical bend-' ing or flexing of crossmember 11. This in, turn produces an increased flexing or laterally outward movementof the upper ends of the standards 20a, resulting in an increased, frictional contact between bearing plates '23 and the upper end of the standards, 'Downward movement ofthe frame 17 i's, in'this" manner, effectively retarded, and it is not necessary to'm'ake' the springs 30of as rigid or heavy construction, as would be necessary were. the retarding efi'ect accomplished entirely by the springs'30. "Accordingly, there is little tendency for the head end of the bed to tip or fold over onto the frame17 when the bed is'in'the horizontal position or when moving to such position. Inthe operation,

of moving the frame to vertical position the frictional contact between bearing plates 23 andstandards 20a is gradually reduced as cross member 11' returns -to its normal straight position. 1 By, combining the frictional control means'with the proper weight of spring typefconnec-tion, in this manner, it is thus possible to effectively eliminate any tendency for the head of the bed to fold over unexpectedly and injure the occupantor operator. I The'operation of raising and lowering the frame isaccomplislied with slight effort; the springs and friction'control means being apportioned to counterbalance the'bed frame at any point intermediate its limiting positions 1 ,While 'I have shown the standards 20;;- mounted onthebase members 12-and con-' nected to the yieldingtransverse member 11 by means of the brace bars 21, thisconstr'ud" of the standard 206, without necessity'of 12' and having its inner .end resting upon'af brace bar lQa andmade vertically yieldable using the brace rods 21; 7 Bar 11a may either extend across the base, as inthe case of bar 11, or it may be short, as shown in Fig. 6, A

mounted at one end upon a frameqmember toa certain extent by means of a spring; 31,

surrounding a bolt 32 passing-.through-barsj 1-1a .and;1-2a, and bearingagainst :the. top surface of bar 11a tonormally, yieldingly holdthe latter in its lowermost position! The foregoing detailed description has been; given" for clearness of understanding.

' only, and no unnecessary limitations should a understood"there i mi i lt claims fjshould be construed as broadly as permissible inwiew; of the'prior art. 1 I;

- What I regard as new' and by LetterslPa-tentis: 1

desire to secure" s 41. A foldin'g bed, comprisingin Gambia 1 tion :;a base standards embodiedin the base; 7'

to swing in a vertical aro'fr'om avert'ica lto a horizontal position, and vice;versa; said frame presentingsurfaces in frictional Yengagementwith said. standards; and yielding; means connecting Qthe base and the frame afframe pivota'll'y mounted'on'thestandards and adapted to'progressively increase the frictional engagement between the standards;

and 'said;' surf'aceslby' pressing the standards against said surfaces} as'thejframez'nioves I downward; Ii a 4- 2. :A folding bed, comprisingin rcombina-z tion :a base; standards embodied in'theibase;

aframe pivotally mountedonzthe' standards: toswing in a vertical aro fromia verticaljto ahorizontal positionyandvice versa, ;said 1 frame presenting surfaces; i-n frictional en; gagement with said-standards; and yielding means connecting'the base and the 'framesandi adapted both to directly resist the downward movement of the 'frame'and by moving the standards to progressively increase the fric-.

tional engagement betweenthel'jstandards and said" surfaces as the frame; moves down-- 31A ,fo1dingad,-'-com asa a ages:- f

tion a base; standards embodied in the base a frame pivotally mounted onth'e standards tofswing in a vertical are from a vertical' toj V a a horizontal position,jand vice versa, a minor portion of the frameextendingtobne 'sijde:

of the pivot axis,said standards being adapt 7 ed to frictionally engaget'he frame; and

yielding means conne'ctin'g the base and i said minor portion 'ofthe frameand associated with the standards, said yieldingvmeansibefing adaptedi-to oppose the downward move-f ment of the "frame both by direct action on said minorportionof the-frame and by-mow' ing said standards intoprogressively greater frictional eng 4. A-fo'lding bed1comprisingfiiicombina-i rge'mentr'with the measrhe 1 frame moves downward; v

tionia base; a memberincorporated:in the base having a limited yielding movement;

a supporting memberonthebase operatively connected With the yiel'ding member;'a bed frame pivotally mounted on the supportirrg member to swing throughan 'arc from-aver? t cal to a horizontal position and viee versa; and means acting on the: I yielding 'fmer'nber supporting memb' r fand he d fi t 'd i ,1;5 7 -2 5. 'A foldingbed comprising invcombina" tion a} base member iincorporated' in' the base having a limited yielding movement ;-a;- support ng memberon the base operatively,

whereby frictional-engagement betweenthe connected with the yielding member; a. bed frame pivotally mounted, on the supporting member to swing through an are from a vertical toa horizontal position and vice versa; and means acting on the yielding member whereby frictional engagement between the pivot member and the bed frame is effected, said means being adapted to progressively increase the frictional engagement as the frame approaches its horizontal position.

6. A folding bed comprising, in combination: a base; a member incorporated in the base having a limited yielding movement; a supporting member on the base operatively connected with the yielding member; a bed frame pivotally mounted on the supporting member to swing through an are from a vertical to a horizontal position and vice versa; and means acting on the yielding member whereby frictional engagement between the supportingmember and the bed frame is effected, said means being adapted to progressivel increasethe frictional engagement as the rame approaches its horizontal position and toproportionately decrease the frictional engagement as the frame nears its vertical position.

7'. A folding bed comprising, in combination: a base; a member incorporated in the base having a limited yielding movement; a supporting member on the base operatively connected with the yielding member; a bed frame pivotally mounted on the supporting member to swing through an are from avertical to a horizontal positionand vice versa; and means acting on the yielding member whereby frictional engagement between the supporting member and the bed frame is of fected, said means beingadapted to progress sively' increase the frictional engagement as the frame approaches its horizontal position and to proportionately decrease the frictional engagementas the frame nears its vertical position and to maintain the said frictional engagement while the frame is in its horizontal position.

8. A folding bed comprising in combination: a base; a member incorporated in the base having a limited yielding movement; a supportingfmember on the base operatively connected with theyield-ing member; a bed frame pivotally mounted on the supporting member to swing through an are from a vertical to a horizontal position and vice versa; and spring means in connection with the frame, acting on the yielding member, whereby frictional engagement between the sup portingmember and the bed frame is effected.

9. A folding bed comprising, in combination: abase; a member incorporated in the base having a limited yielding movement; a supporting member on the base operatively connected with the yielding member; a bed frame pivotally mounted on the supporting member to. swing through anarc from a vertical to a horizontal position and vice versa; and spring means in connection with the frame acting on the yielding member, whereby frictional engagement between the supporting member and the bed frame is effected, said means being adapted to progressively in crease the frictional engagement as the frame approaches its horizontal position.

10. A folding bed comprising, in combination: a base; a member incorporated in the base having a limited yielding movement; a supporting member on the base operatively connected with the yielding member; a bed frame pivotally mounted on the supporting member to swing through an are from a vertical to a horizontal position and vice versa; and spring means in connection with the frame, acting on the yielding member, whereby frictional engagement between the supporting member and the bed frame is effected, said means being adapted to progressively increase the frictional engagement as the frame approaches its horizontal position and to proportionately decrease the frictional engagement as the frame nears its vertical position.

11. A folding bed comprising, in combination: a base; a member incorporated in the base having a limited yielding movement; a supporting member on the base operatively connected with the yielding member; a bed frame pivotally mounted on the supporting member to swing through an are from a vertical to a horizontal position and vice versa; and spring means in connection with the frame, acting on the yielding member, whereby frictional engagement between the supporting member and the bed frame is effected, said means being adapted to progressively increase the frictional engagement as the frame approaches its horizontal position and to proportionately decrease the frictional engagement as the frame nears its vertical po sition and to maintain the said frictional engagement while the frame is in its horizontal position.

12. A folding bed comprising, in combination: a base; a member incorporated in the base having a limited yielding movement; a supporting member on the base operatively connected with the yielding member; a bed frame pivotally nounted on the supporting member to swing through an are from a vertical to ahorizontal position and vice versa; and spring means in connection with the frame, acting on the yielding member, whereby frictional engagement between the sup porting member and the bed frame is effected, said spring means also connecting the yielding member and the frame to offer direct resistance to the movement of the frame as the frame approaches its horizontal position.

13. A folding bed comprising, in combination: a base; a memberincorporated in the base having a limited yielding movement; a

supporting member on the base operativelyi 7 connected withthe yielding'member;-a bed frame pivotally mounted on the supporting member to swingthrough an arc from a vertical to a horizontal position and vice versa; and spring means in connection with the frame, acting on the yielding member, whereby frictional engagement betweenthe supporting member and the bed frame is effected, said spring means also connecting the yielding member and the frame, whereby the spring means is progressively, increasingly tensioned as the frame approaches its horizon tal position.

14. A folding bed comprising, in combination: a base; a member incorporated in said base. having a limited yielding movement; a

frame pivotally mounted on the base to ously actuated.

swing through a vertical arc froma vertical to a horizontal position, and vice versa; a braking means to retard the relative pivotal action of the frame, said braking meansbeing actuated by said yielding member on the base; and means operatively connecting the frame and saidyieldingfmember, whereby the weight of theframe is partially counter balanced and the braking means is simultane:

15. A folding bed comprising, in combination: a base; a member incorporated in said base having a limited yielding movement; a frame pivotally mounted on the base to swing through a vertical are from a verticalto a horizontal position,-and vice versa; a braking means to retard the relative pivotal action ated by said yielding member on the base;

tical position to a horizontal position, and vice 'versa; fmeans operable to retard pivotal movement'of the frame, said means comprislimited yielding movement; a" relatively fixed ing, amember mounted on the base having 7 A member directly connected with said yielding f member and having a portion frictionally engageable with a surface movable. with the l' I frame, whereby movement of the yielding ber and the surface movable with the 'frame;,,

and spring means connecting the overhanging v end of the bed frame. and-said yieldingmember, [whereby the yielding member will be" progressively flexed on downward movement of the frame, to increasesaid frictional engagement, and correspondmgly' relaxed on upward movement of the bed framerto del crease said frictional engagement.

. In witness that I claimthe foregoing I.

have'hereunto subscribed my name this'18th EDGAR COCKS;

day of May 1929.

of the frame, said braking means being actu and a spring means connecting the frame and 1 said yielding member, whereby the weight of the frame is partially counterbalanced and the braking means is simultaneously-actuated.

16. A folding bed, comprising, in combina,-

tion: a base; a bed frame pivotally .mounted on the base to swing through a vertical are from a vertical to a horizontal position, and vice versa; means operable to retard pivotal movement of the frame, saidmeans comprising, a member mounted onthe .basehaving limited yielding movement a relatively" fixed member adapted to frictionally engage a sur-v face movable with the frame, said relatively fixed member having connection with. said yielding member, whereby movement or the yielding member will increase or decrease frictionalengagement between said relatively fixed member and the relatively movable surface; and spring means connecting the bed frame and said yielding member, whereby the yielding member will be flexed on downward movement of the frame to increase said frictional, engagement. v I 17. A folding bed, comprising, in combination: a base; a bed frame pivotally mounted on the base to have an overhanging end, and

f to swing through a vertical .arc from a ver- 

